Improvement in rowlocks



r J. FORBES, Jr. i Rowlock.

V No. 205,372. Patented June 25, 1878.

WlTNESSES a, 6% INETOR,

w ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

JOHN FORBES, JR, or PLAINWELL, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN ROWLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 205,372, dated June '25, 1878; application filed May 25,1878.

To all whom it may cancer-n I Be it known that 1, JOHN FoRBEs, Jr., of Plainwell, in the count of Allegan and State of Michigan, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Rowlocks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of refer ence marked thereon, which drawing is a representation of a vertical section of my rowlock.

The nature of my invention relates to the construction of rowlocks; and it consists in the construction of a ball-and-socket rowlock, and in combining therewith a crooked oar, as will be hereinafter morefull y set forth.

The annexed drawing, to which reference is made, fully illustrates my invention.

A represents a post or standard of suitable dimensions, terminating at its upper end in a ball, B. At the lower end this post is provided with a stem, 0, which is inserted in the gunwale D of a boat, and fastened by a setscrew, F, as shown.

Gr represents the oar, having, at a suitable point on its under side, secured to it two plates, H H, each of which is formed with a cup, I. These cups are of such dimensions that, when the plates are properly secured in place, they fit over the ball B, and thus form a ball-andsocket join t.

The oar Gris made crooked, as shown, so that the ball and socket will be in line with the center of both ends of the car.

- The oar-lock has a less number of parts, and

of smaller size, than the oar-locks now generallyin use. It is cheap and durable, and any movement desired is obtained with but little friction. There isno danger of it slipping out and in while rowing, or losing it out at any time; and, when properly secured, a passenger-boat may be lowered from the davits of a steamship with but little or no danger of disarranging the oars by the action of the waves or passengers.

The ball-and-socket oar-lock is as noiseless as a'muffled oar, and it protects from any Wear or friction.

- By the use of the thumbscrew F it can be instantly fastened to the boat, so that no wave or aught else can unship it.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of a crooked or bent oar, G, plates H H with cups I I, and the post A with ball B, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

JNO. FORBES, JR. Witnesses:

H. R. SooTT, WM. E. FoRBEs. 

